Methods for enhancing penetration of wood preservatives

ABSTRACT

Applicants have discovered that amine oxides enhance the uniform distribution and penetration of wood preservatives into wood substrates, minimize leaching of the wood preservatives, and improve the weatherability of the wood substrate. The present invention provides a method for enhancing the uniform distribution and penetration of at least one wood preservative into a wood substrate by applying a preservative composition to the wood substrate. The preservative composition comprises a wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent, which includes an amine oxide, and the wood preservatives. Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for enhancing the uniform distribution and penetration of one or more wood preservatives by applying the wood preservatives to the wood substrate and then applying the aforementioned wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent to the wood substrate. Alternatively, the wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent may be applied prior to application of the wood preservatives or both may be applied concurrently. Yet another embodiment is a preservative composition comprising a wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent and at least one wood preservative. Preferably, the composition comprises a uniform distribution and penetration enhancing effective amoutn of the wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent and a wood preserving effective amount of the wood preservative.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to methods for enhancing the distribution and penetration of wood preservatives into a wood substrate with a wood penetration enhancing agent comprising an amine oxide. This invention also relates to preservative compositions comprising a wood preservative selected from quaternary ammonium compounds, amines. and salts thereof and an amine oxide.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Current methods for treating wood with preservatives often do not provide uniform distribution and penetration of the preservatives into the wood. As a result, portions of the wood may decay while other portions remain well preserved.

[0003] Furthermore, wood preservatives frequently do not penetrate or poorly penetrate to the center of thick pieces of wood, such as posts, timbers, and boards. This often results in the wood rotting from the inside out. Wood preservatives typically preferentially absorb at certain locations or sites in the wood. Because of the lack of uniform distribution. certain locations of the wood do not receive the same wood preservative effect as other locations.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,741 discloses a waterproofing wood preservative system comprising a waterproofer and a biocide. The waterproofer is an alkyl amine oxide, an alkyl acetoacetate, or a waterproofing quaternary ammnonium compound. The biocide comprises at least one specific biocidal quaternary ammonium compound.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,163 discloses a wood treating composition containing a chlorophenol, an aliphatic alcohol. a fatty acid amine oxide. and water.

[0006] There is a need for methods of enhancing the distribution and penetration of wood preservatives into wood in order to provide uniform distribution and penetration of the preservatives and to prevent decay in the inner and outer regions of the wood.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Applicants have discovered that amine oxides enhance the uniform distribution and penetration of wood preservatives into wood substrates, minimize leaching of the wood preservatives, and improve the weatherability of the wood substrate (i. e. improve the surface appearance of the wood, the wood's resistance to cracking, splitting, pitting, and changing color). The present invention provides a method for enhancing the uniform distribution and penetration of at least one wood preservative into a wood substrate by applying a preservative composition to the wood substrate. The preservative composition comprises a wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent. which includes an amine oxide, and the wood preservatives.

[0008] Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for enhancing the uniform distribution and penetration of one or more wood preservatives by applying the wood preservatives to the wood substrate and then applying the aforementioned wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent to the wood substrate. Alternatively, the wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent may be applied prior to application of the wood preservatives or both may be applied concurrently.

[0009] Yet another embodiment is a preservative composition comprising a wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent and at least one wood preservative. Preferably, the composition comprises a uniform distribution and penetration enhancing effective amoutn of the wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent and a wood preserving effective amount of the wood preservative.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention provides a method for enhancing the uniform distribution and penetration of at least one wood preservative into a wood substrate. The method comprises applying a preservative composition to the wood substrate. The preservative composition comprises a wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent and the wood preservative. The wood distribution and penetration agent includes one or more amine oxides.

[0011] The amine oxide may be a trialiphatic substituted amine oxide, an N-alkylated cyclicamine oxide, a dialkylpiperazine di-N-oxide, an alkyldi(hydroxylated oxyalkyl)amine oxide, a dialkylbenzylamine oxide, a fatty dimethylamido dimethylpropylamine oxide, a diamine oxide; a triamine oxide, or any combination of any of the foregoing. Examples of suitable amine oxides include, but are not limited to, alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl amine oxides. Preferably, the amine oxide includes at least one C₈-C₁₈ alkyl moiety.

[0012] Preferred trialiphatic substituted amine oxides have the formula R¹R²R³N→O, where R¹ is a linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof C₆ to C₄₀ saturated or unsaturated group; and R² and R³ independently are linear, branched, or any combination thereof C₁ to C₄₀ saturated or unsaturated groups. R¹, R², and R³ independently may be alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or any combination of any of the foregoing. More preferably, R¹ is a linear, branched. cyclic or any combination thereof C₆ to C₂₂ saturated or unsaturated group, such as coco, hydrogenated tallow, soya, decyl, hexadecyl. and oleyl; and R² and R³ independently are linear, branched, or any combination thereof C₁ to C₂₂ saturated or unsaturated groups, such as coco, hydrogenated tallow, soya, decyl. and hexadecyl. According to a preferred embodiment, R¹ is a linear or branched C₆ to C₁₄ saturated or unsaturated group.

[0013] A preferred trialiphatic substituted amine oxide is a dialkylmethylamine oxide having the formula R¹R²CH₃N→O, where R¹ and R² are defined as above.

[0014] Another preferred trialkylamine oxide is an alkyldimethylamine oxide having the formula R¹(CH₃)₂N→O, where R¹ is defined as above. Alkyldimethylamine oxides are non-toxic and non-mutagenic surfactants. More preferably, R¹ is a C₆-C₂₃ saturated or unsaturated group. Preferred alkyldimethylamine oxides include, but are not limited to, decyldimethylamine oxide, dodecyldimethylamine oxide, tetradecyldimethylamine oxide, hexadecyldimethylamine oxide, coco-dimethylamine oxide, octadecyldimethylamine oxide, hydrogenated tallow dimethylamine oxide, and any combination of any of the foregoing.

[0015] Preferred N-alkylated cyclicamine oxides have the formula R⁴R⁵R⁶N→O where R⁴ is defined as R¹ above and R⁵ and R⁶ are linked to form a cyclic group. The cyclic group typically contains from 4 to 10 carbon atoms and may optionally contain oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, or any combination of any of the foregoing. More preferred N-alkylated cyclicamine oxides include, but are not limited to, an alkylmorpholine N-oxide, a dialkylpiperazine di-N-oxide, and any combination of any of the foregoing.

[0016] Preferred alkylmorpholine N-oxides have the formula

[0017] where R⁷ is defined as R¹ above. According to a more preferred embodiment. R⁷ is a linear or branched C₁₀ to C₁₆ alkyl. Examples of preferred alkylmorpholine N-oxides include, but are not limited to, cetyl morpholine N-oxide and lauryl morpholine N-oxide.

[0018] Preferred dialkylpiperazine di-N-oxides have the formula

[0019] where R⁸ is defined as R¹ above and R⁹ is defined as R² above.

[0020] Preferred alkyldi(hydroxyalkyl)amine oxides have the formula

[0021] where R¹⁰ is defined as R¹ above; R¹¹ and R¹² independently are H or CH₃; and m and n independently are integers from 1 to 10.

[0022] Preferred dialkylbenzylamine oxides have the formula R¹³R¹⁴R¹⁵N→O, where R¹³ is defined as R¹ above, R¹⁴ is defined as R² above; and R¹⁵ is benzyl. More preferred dialkylbenzylamine oxides include. but are not limited to, alkylbenzylmethylamine oxides having the formula R¹³R¹⁵CH₃N→O where R¹³ and R¹⁵ are defined as above. According to a more preferred embodiment, R¹³ is a linear or branched C₈-C₁₂ alkyl.

[0023] Preferred fatty dimethylamido dimethylpropylamine oxides have the formula

[0024] where R¹⁶ is defined as R¹ above.

[0025] Preferred diamine oxides have the formula

[0026] where R¹⁷ is defined as R¹ above; and m is an integer from about 1 to about 10.

[0027] Preferred triamine oxides have the formula

[0028] where R¹⁸ is defined as R¹ above; and m and n independently are integers from about 1 to about 10.

[0029] Long chain (C₁₆ or greater) amine oxides, such as hexadecylamine oxides and hydrogenated tallow amine oxides, are particularly preferable for imparting waterproofing properties to the composition. Short chain (C₁₄ and shorter) amine oxides are particularly efficient wood distribution and penetration enhancing agents and aide in solubilizing long chain amine oxides.

[0030] The wood preservative may comprise a quaternary ammonium compound. amine, or salt thereof. Suitable quaternary ammonium compounds include, but are not limited to, those having the formula R¹⁹R²⁰R²¹R²²N⁺X⁻, where R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹, and R²² independent are linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof saturated or unsaturated groups and X is an anion. The sum of the number of carbon atoms in R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹, and R²² broadly ranges from about 10 to about 50. R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹, and R²² may be alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or any combination of any of the foregoing. X may be chloride, carbonate, bicarbonate, nitrile, bromide, iodide, acetate, dehydroacetate, laurate, stearate, carboxylate, or borate. Suitable carboxylate and borate anions include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,726, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0031] A preferred quaternary ammonium compound has the formula R¹⁹(CH₃)₃N⁺X⁻, where R¹⁹ is a linear or branched C₁₀-C₂₀ saturated or unsaturated group, such as alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl group and X is defined as above. More preferably R¹⁹ is a linear C₁₆-C₁₈ saturated or unsaturated group and X is chloride, carbonate, or acetate. An example of such a compound is N-octadecyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride.

[0032] Another preferred quaternary ammonium compound has the formula R¹⁹R²⁰(CH₃)₂N⁺X⁻, where R¹⁹ is a linear or branched C₆-C₂₀ saturated or unsaturated group or C₆-C₂₀ substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, R²⁰ is a linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ saturated or unsaturated group or C₆-C₂₀ substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and X is defined as above. The term “substituted” as used herein includes, but is not limited to. substitution with any one or any combination of the following substituents: C₁-C₄ alkyl. Preferably, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently are linear or branched C₈-C₁₅ saturated or unsaturated groups. In a more preferred embodiment, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ independently are linear or branched C₈-C₁₂ saturated or unsaturated groups and X is chloride, carbonate, or acetate. Special mention is made of didecyldimethylammnonium chloride, which is available as Bardac®2280 available from Lonza Inc. of Fair Lawn, N.J.; didecyldimethylammonium bicarbonate; and didecyldimethylammonium carbonate; and N,N-di(tetradecyl/pentadecyl)-N, N-dimethylammonium chloride, which is available as Carsoquatt® 457 from Lonza Inc. (Carsoquat® 457 is a mixture of N-tetradecyl-N-pentadecyl-N,N-dimethylammoniuin chloride, N,N-di(tetradecyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride, and N,N-di(pentadecyl)-N, N-dimethylammonium chloride).

[0033] Another suitable quaternary ammonium compound has the formula R¹⁹R²⁰(CH₃)₂N⁺X⁻), where R¹⁹ is a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl group, R²⁰ is linear C₁₀ to C₂₀ saturated or unsaturated group, and X is defined as above. According to a preferred embodiment, R¹⁹ is benzyl, R²⁰ is a linear C₁₂-C₁₈ saturated or unsaturated group, and X is chloride. Examples of such compounds include, but are not limited to, a mixture of N-(C₁₂-C₁₆)alkyl-N-benzyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride, which is available as Barquatt® MB from Lonza, Inc. of Fair Lawn, N.J.; and N-octadecyl-N-benzyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride, which is available as Carsoquat® SDQ from Lonza Inc.

[0034] Another quaternary ammonium compound contemplated for use in the present invention has the formula R¹⁹R²⁰N⁺(CH₃)(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)H X⁻ where R¹⁹ is a C₆-C₂₀ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a C₆-C₂₀ substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, R²⁰ is a C₁-C₂₀ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a C₆-C₂₀ substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, n is an integer from 1 to 2, and X is defined as above. Preferably, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ are linear or branched C₈-C₁₀ substituted or unsubstituted groups and more preferably are decyl. X is preferably propionate. An example of such a compound is N,N-didecyl-N-methyl-N-hydroxyethylammonium proprionate, available as Bardap® 26 from Lonza, Inc. of Fair Lawn, N.J.

[0035] Yet another suitable quaternary ammonium compound has the formula R¹⁹R²⁰R²¹(CH₃)N⁺X⁻, where R¹⁹, R²⁰, and R²¹ independently are linear or branched C₆-C₂₂ saturated or unsaturated groups. More preferably R¹⁹, R²⁰, and R²¹ independently are linear or branched C₈-C₁₀ saturated or unsaturated groups. X is preferably chloride. Examples of such compounds include, but are not limited to, N,N,N-tri(octyl/decyl)-N-methylammonium chloride, which is available as Aliquat® 336 from Aldrich Chemical Company of Milwaukee, Wis. (Aliquat® 336 is a mixture of N,N,N-tri(octyl)-N-methylammonium chloride, N,N-di(octyl)-N-decyl-N-methylammonium chloride, N-octyl-N,N-di(decyl)-N-methylammonium chloride, and N,N,N-tri(decyl)-N-methylammonium chloride.

[0036] Suitable amines include. but are not limited to, those having the formula R²³R²⁴R²⁵N, where R²³, R²⁴, and R²⁵ independent are linear, branched. cyclic or any combination thereof saturated or unsaturated groups. The sum of the number of carbon atoms in R²³, R²⁴, and R²⁵ broadly ranges from about 10 to about 50. R²³, R²⁴, and R²⁵ may be alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or any combination of any of the foregoing.

[0037] An amine contemplated for use in the present invention has the formula R²³N(CH₃)₂ where R²³ is a linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof C₆-C₃₀ saturated or unsaturated group or C₆-C₃₀ substituted or unsubstituted aryl group. R²³ is preferably a linear and saturated C₈-C₂₀ group. Examples of such compounds include, but are not limited to, N-lauryl-N,N-dimethylarnine, which is available as Barlene® 12C from Lonza Inc. of Fair Lawn, N.J.; N-dodecyl-NN-dimethylamine, which is available as Barlene® 12S from Lonza Inc.; N-hexadecyl-N,N-dimethylamine, which is available as Barlene® 16S from Lonza Inc.; cocodimethylamine; N-octadecyl-N,N-dimethylamine, which is available as Barlene® 18S from Lonza Inc.; hydrogenated tallow dimethylarnine; or any combination of any of the foregoing.

[0038] Suitable amine salts include, but are not limited to, any salts of the aforementioned amines. The salts may be formed with organic or inorganic acids. Any acid which reacts with the amine may be used. The amine salt may be partially or wholly neutralized by the acid. Preferred salts include, but are not limited to, acetates and dehydroacetates (DHA). The anion may also be any carboxylate or borate anion, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,726. For example, the amine salt may have the formula R²⁶R²⁷R²⁸N⁺Y⁻, wherein R²⁶, R²⁷, and R²⁸, are defined as R²³, R²⁴, and R²⁵ above and Y is defined is X as above and any of the aforementioned anions, such as acetate and dehydroacetate. Another example is an amine salt having the formula R²⁹(CH₃)₂N⁺Y⁻, wherein R²⁹ is defined as R²³ above and Y is any of the aforementioned anions.

[0039] The weight ratio of amine oxide to wood preservative in the preservative composition broadly ranges from about 1:10 to about 10:1 and preferably ranges from about 1:6 to about 4:1. Where waterproofing properties are desired, the weight ratio preferably ranges from about 1:1 to about 4:1.

[0040] The pH of the preservative composition broadly ranges from about 2 to about 12. The pH of the preservative composition preferably ranges from about 6 to about 8 and is more preferably about 7.

[0041] The preservative composition may further comprise water and/or other water compatible solvents. such as alcohols, glycols, ketones, and esters. Additionally, the preservative composition may contain other additives as known in the art. The preservative composition typically comprises a uniform distribution and penetration enhancing effective amount of the wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent and a wood preserving effective amount of the wood preservative. The preservative composition generally comprises from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of amine oxides and from about 0.1 to about 10% bv weight of wood preservatives, based on 100% total weight of preservative composition. The preservative composition preferably comprises from about 0.5 to about 4% by weight of amine oxides and from about 0.5 to about 4% by weight of wood preservatives, based on 100% total weight of preservative composition.

[0042] Suitable wood substrates include, but are not limited to, Ponderosa pine sapwood, southern yellow pine. and Scots pine.

[0043] The preservative composition may be applied to the wood substrate by any method known to one of ordinary skill in the art including, but not limited to. brushing, dipping, soaking, vacuum impregnation, and pressure treatment using various cycles.

[0044] Another embodiment is a method for enhancing the uniform distribution and penetration of one or more wood preservatives by applying the wood preservative to the wood substrate and then applying the aforementioned wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent to the wood substrate. A uniform distribution and penetration enhancing amount of the wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent and a wood preserving effective amount of the wood preservative are typically applied. The wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent is generally applied to the wood substrate as a solution containing from about 0.1 to about 10% and preferably from about 0.25 to about 4% by weight of amine oxide, based on 100% total weight of solution. The wood preservatives are also typically applied to the wood substrate as a solution containing from about 0.1 to about 10% and preferably about 0.25 to about 4% by weight of wood preservative, based on 100% total weight of solution. The solutions may contain water and/or other water compatible solvents as described above. The wood penetration enhancing agent and wood preservative may be applied by any of the aforementioned methods.

[0045] Alternatively, the wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent may be applied to the wood substrate after application of the wood preservative or both may be applied concurrently.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] The following examples illustrate the invention without limitation. All parts and percentages are given by weight unless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLE 1

[0047] An aqueous treating solution was prepared as follows. An appropriate weight of hexadecyldimethylamine oxide and didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride are mixed. The mixture was heated in a hot water bath to melt and dissolve the components into each other. The mixture was then diluted with warm (40-50° C.) water with stirring to yield an aqueous treating solution containing 2% by weight of hexadecyldimethylamine oxide and 1% by weight of didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2

[0048] An aqueous treating solution containing 1% by weight of didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride was prepared.

EXAMPLE 3

[0049] The aqueous treating solutions prepared in Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 were each tested as follows. 2′ pieces of kiln dried #1 grade SYP 2×4's were end coated with an epoxy paint. The wood pieces were placed in a pressure treating cylinder for about 30 minutes at about −90 kPa, injected with the aqueous test solution, and pressurized to about 950 kPa for about 30 minutes. The pressure was released by the addition of air, the solution was drained, and the wood pieces were exposed to a vacuum of about −90 kPa for about 30 minutes.

[0050] The wood piece was sawn in half and the edge of the wood piece was sprayed with a bromophenol blue solution in acidified ethanol/water to determine the penetration of the didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride preservative.

EXAMPLE 4

[0051] The procedure in Example 3 for preparing wood pieces with the aqueous treating solutions prepared in Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 was repeated, except that 40 mm by 90 mm (2×4's) end sealed southern yellow pine pieces were substituted for the Ponderosa pine sapwood pieces.

[0052] The results are shown in Table 1 below. TABLE 1 Alkylammonium Ratio of Compound Quat/Amine Penetration (Quat/Amine) (w/w) Amine Oxide to Amine Oxide 1^(st) Piece 2^(nd) Piece Didecyldimethyl None — Good Very Poor ammonium chloride (1.0%) Didecyldimethyl Hexadecyldimethyl 1:2 Complete Complete ammonium chloride amine oxide (2.0%) (1.0%) Didecyldimethyl Hydrogenated tallow 1:1.7 Complete Complete ammonium chloride (1%) dimethyl amine oxide (1.53%) and decyldimethyl amine oxide (0.17%) Didecyldimethyl None — Center band not ammonium carbonate (pH penetrated in both was about 10.1) (1%) pieces Didecyldimethyl Hexadecyldimethyl 1:2 Complete Very small ammonium carbonate (pH amine oxide (2%) pocket not was about 10.0) (1%) penetrated Dehydroxyacetic acid salt None — Very Good Very Poor of Octadecyldimethyl amine¹ (1%) Dehydroxyacetic acid salt C₁₆₋₁₈ alkyldimethyl 1:1.2 Complete Complete of (C₁₆₋₁₈ alkyl) dimethyl amine oxide (1.2%) amine² (1%) tri(C₈₋₁₀ alkyl)methyl None — Could not treat, ammonium chloride (1%) compound insoluble in water tri(C₈₋₁₀ alkyl)methyl Hexadecyldimethyl 1:1 Very Good Very Good ammonium chloride amine oxide (0.8%) (0.8%) C₁₂₋₁₆ alkyl benzyldimethyl None — Very Good Not ammonium chloride (1%) Completely Penetrated C₁₂₋₁₆ alkyl benzyldimethyl Hexadecyldimethyl 2:1 Very good Very good ammonium chloride and amine oxide (1%) di(C₁₄-C₁₅ alkyl)dimethyl ammonium chloride (1%) Didecyldimethyl None — Significant cracks ammonium chloride (1%) appeared in one of the pieces; Center band not penetrated in both pieces Didecyldimethyl None — Complete Complete ammonium chloride and acetic acid (pH was about 3.0) (1%) Didecyldimethyl Decyldimethyl amine 4:1 Complete Complete ammonium chloride (1%) oxide (0.25%) Didecyldimethyl None — Large central zone ammonium chloride and untreated in both ammonia (pH was about pieces 11.3) (1%) Didecyldimethyl Decyldimethyl amine 4:1 Essentially complete ammonium chloride and oxide (0.25%) penetration in both ammonia (pH was about pieces 11.2) (1%)

EXAMPLE 5

[0053] The procedure in Example 3 for preparing wood pieces with the aqueous treating solutions prepared in Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 was repeated with the solutions in Table 2, except that 40 mm by 90 mm (2 ×4's) end sealed southern yellow pine pieces were substituted for the Ponderosa pine sapwood pieces.

[0054] The results are shown in Table 2 below. TABLE 2 Compound Found in Zones Total (%) Retention Outer Second Inner Treating Solution Compound Found 0.3″ 0.3″ 0.3″ Didecyldimethyl Didecyl Not 1.2 0.7 0.5 ammonium chloride dimethyl Determined (1.0%) (Piece #1) ammonium chloride Didecyldimethyl Didecyldimethyl 1.2 1.5 1.2 1.1 ammonium chloride ammonium (1.0%) (Piece #2) chloride Didecyldimethyl Didecyldimethyl 2.7 4.2 3.1 2.6 ammonium chloride ammonium (1%), hydrogenated chloride tallow dimethyl amine oxide (1.53%) and Total amine 2.8 3.6 2.7 2.1 decyldimethyl amine oxides oxide (0.17%) Didecyldimethyl Total for both 1.6 1.8 1.8 1.4 ammonium chloride compounds (1%) and hexadecyldimethyl amine oxide (2%) Hexadecyldimethyl Hexadecyl 1.4 1.6 1.2 1.2 amine, decyldimethyl dimethyl amine amine oxide, and hexadecyldimethyl Total amine 1.3 1.5 1.2 1.1 amine oxide oxides Didecyldimethyl Didecyl 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.5 ammonium chloride, dimethyl (C₁₆₋₁₈ alkyl)dimethyl ammonium amine salt of chloride dehydroacetic acid, (C₁₆₋₁₈ Not 0.5 0.4 0.4 and (C₁₆₋₁₈ alkyl) alkyl)dimethyl Determined dimethyl amine oxide amine salt of dehydroacetic acid (C₁₆₋₁₈ Not Determined alkyl)dimethyl amine oxide

EXAMPLE 6

[0055] The aqueous treating solutions of Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 are each tested on 19 mm by 36 mm pieces of end sealed Scots pine as follows. The wood pieces are immersed in the aqueous treating solution for about 24 hours. The wood pieces are removed and surface water is blotted.

[0056] The wood piece is sawn in half and the edge of the wood piece is sprayed with a bromophenol blue solution in acidified ethanol/water to determine the penetration of the didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride preservative.

EXAMPLE 7

[0057] Ten ¾″ by ¾″ (19 mm by 19 mm) stakes were pressure treated with the treating solutions in Table 3 as follows, Each stake was placed in a vacuum desiccator equipped with an addition funnel and evacuated to a pressure of about −90 kPa for about 30 minutes. The aqueous treating solution was injected into the vacuum desiccator and the vacuum was broken to increase the pressure to about 950 kPa. The stake was allowed to stand for about 30 minutes and then blotted to remove excess solution. The pressure in the vacuum desiccator was decreased to about −90 kPa for about 30 minutes to remove liquid from the wood.

[0058] Center sections were cut from each stake and penetration was determined by the following method. A penetration indicator was prepared by dissolving 0.1% by weight of bromophenol blue in about 5% by weight of acetic acid, about 20% by weight of ethanol, and about 75% by weight of water. The penetration indicator was atomized onto the wood surface. Areas of the wood substrate which have a concentration of at least about 10 ppm of quaternary ammonium compounds, amines, and/or amine oxides turn bluish due to the penetration indicator.

[0059] The results are shown in Table 3 below. TABLE 3 Ratio of Alkylammonium Alkylammonium Compound to Compound Amine Oxide Amine Oxide Penetration Didecyldimethyl None — Poor penetration, ammonium chloride (1%) centers essentially untreated Didecyldimethyl Hydrogenated tallow 1:1.7 Complete ammonium chloride (1%) dimethylamine oxide penetration (1.53%) and decyldimethyl amine oxide (0.17%) Didecyldimethyl Hexadecyldimethyl 1:2 Complete ammonium chloride (1%) amine oxide (2%) penetration hexadecyldimethyl Hexadecyldimethyl 1:1.2 Complete amine, dehydroacetic amine oxide and penetration acid, and hydroxy acetic decylamine oxide (1.2%) acid (amine salt) (1%) Didecyldimethyl C₁₆₋₁₈ alkyldimethyl 3:1 Complete ammonium chloride amine oxide (1%) penetration (1%), C₁₆₋₁₈ alkyl benzyldimethyl ammonium chloride (1%), C₁₆₋₁₈ alkyl dimethyl amine/C₁₆₋₁₈ alkyl dimethyl amine DHA salt* (1%) C₁₂₋₁₆ alkyl Hexadecyldimethyl 2:1 Complete benzyldimethyl amine oxide (1%) penetration ammonium chloride (1%) and di(C₁₄-C₁₅ alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride (1%)

EXAMPLE 8

[0060] Wood pieces were treated with the aqueous test solutions in Table 4 below as described in Example 3. Wafers about ¼ inch thick were cut from the wood pieces and tested as follows.

Leaching in Water

[0061] About 10 g of the test solution treated wafers were vacuum impregnated with about 200 g of water and soaked in water for about 7 days with occasional shaking. After the 7 days, the concentration of preservative in the water and in the wafers was determined by HPLC and titration methods known in the art.

[0062] The results are shown in Table 4. TABLE 4 Concentration of Wood Retention (% w/w) Preservative in Compound Prior to After Water (% w/w) Tested for in Leaching Leaching after Leaching Aqueous Test Solution Wood and Water Experiment Experiment Experiment Didecyldimethyl Didecyldimethyl 1.2 1.2 None* ammonium chloride ammonium chloride Didecyldimethyl Didecyldimethyl 2.7 2.4 None* ammonium chloride, ammonium chloride octadecyl dimethylamine Total Amine 2.8 Not Approximately 10 oxide, hexadecyl Oxides Determined ppm dimethylamine oxide, and decyldimethylamine oxide (weight ratio of DDAC to amine oxides was 1:1.7) Didecyldimethyl Total DDAC 1.6 — None* ammonium chloride and amine oxide and hexadecyl dimethylamine oxide (weight ratio of DDAC to amine oxide was 1:2) Hexadecyl dimethylamine, Hexadecyl 1.4 1.3 None* hexadecyl dimethylamine dimethylamine oxide, and Total Amine 1.3 1.5 None* decyldimethyl Oxide amine oxide

EXAMPLE 9

[0063] Each treating solution in Table 5 below was applied to four 2″×4″ pieces of southern yellow pine by the method described in Example 3. Two of the pieces were treated at the concentrations specified and the two other pieces were treated at half the concentrations specified. The pieces were placed outside on a rack and the general appearance of the surfaces was observed after 2 months. The results are shown in Table 5 below. TABLE 5 Weight Ratio of Preservative Observations after 2 Preservative Amine Oxide to Amine Oxide months Weathering — — — Generally drarker surface with sections quite dark and a crack has developed in the surface of one piece. Didecyldimethyl — — A few spots and darker ammonium chloride (1%) black sections partially covering two of the four test pieces, one piece has developed a long deep crack Didecyldimethyl octadecyl 1:1.7 Two pieces at higher ammonium chloride (1%) dimethylamine retention are clean and oxide, hexadecyl bright* and two pieces dimethylamine at lower retention oxide, and decyl showing darker dimethylamine sections and some oxide (1.7%) mildew spots Didecyldimethyl Hexadecyl 1:2 All four pieces were ammonium chloride (1%) dimethylamine bright and clean, one oxide (2%) piece has developed a small crack Hexadecyl dimethyl Hexadecyl 1.2:1 All pieces where clean amine, dehydroacetic dimethylamine and bright with no acid, acetic acid oxide (1%) surface change (amine salt)** (1.2%) C₁₂₋₁₆ alkyl Hexadecyl 2:1 Two pieces were clean benzyldimethyl dimethylamine and clear, one piece had ammonium chloride (1%) oxide (1%) a darker section while and di(C₁₄₋₁₅ alkyl) another developed a dimethyl ammonium small crack chloride (1%) Didecyldimethyl (C₁₆₋₁₈ alkyl) 3:1 All four pieces were ammonium chloride dimethylamine clean and bright with (1%), C₁₆₋₁₈ alkyl oxide (1%) no surface changes benzyldimethyl ammonium chloride (1%), and C₁₆₋₁₈ alkyl dimethyl amine/C₁₆₋₁₈ alkyl dimethyl amine DHA (1%)

EXAMPLE 10

[0064] 10″×¼″×¾″ southern yellow pine pieces were treated with the treating solutions in Table 6 below as described in Example 3. The pieces were placed outside and observed over 17 months. The results are shown in Table 6. TABLE 6 Alkyl- Ratio of ammonium Quat/Amine Observations Compound to Amine 10 17 (Quat/Amine) Amine Oxide Oxide 3 months months months — — — Darker Weather Quite ed gray dark DDAC (1%) — — Clear Darker Still and darker bright DDAC (1%) Hexadecyl 1:2 Clear Clear Starting dimethyl amine and clean and clean to darken oxide (2%) DDAC (1%) (C₁₆₋₁₈ alkyl)   1:1.7 Bright Bright Starting dimethyl amine to darken oxide and decyl dimethyl amine oxide (wt ratio 1.5:0.25) DDAC and (C₁₆₋₁₈ alkyl) 1:2 Clear Starting Still octadecyl dimethyl amine and to darken darker dimethyl amine oxide and decyl bright (1%) dimethyl amine oxide (wt ratio 1.5:0.2) Dehydroacetic decyl dimethyl   1:0.1 Bright Bright Starting acid salt of (C₁₆₋ amine oxide and clear and clean to darken ₁₈ alkyl) (0.1%) dimethyl amine (1%) Dehydroacetic hexadecyl   1:2.3 Bright Bright Still acid salt of dimethyl amine and clear and clean quite octadecyl oxide (2.3%) bright dimethyl amine (1%)

EXAMPLE 11

[0065] 10″×¼″×¾″ southern yellow pine pieces were treated with the treating solutions in Table 7 below as described in Example 3. The pieces were placed outside and observed over 36 months. The results are shown in Table 7. TABLE 7 Alkyl- Ratio of ammonium Quat/ Compound Amine to Observations (Quat/ Amine Amine 15 21 28 36 Amine) Oxide Oxide months months months months — — — Gray Green- Greenish Dark, Gray early wood erosion DDAC — — Wood General surface Dark, has a deterioration, split greenish split growing cast, early wood erosion Non- — — Wood Extensive weathering Dark, biocidal showing and deterioration to a wood water- a split gray color flaking proofer¹ DDAC octadecyl 1:1 Good Intact surface with a Dark dimethyl surface green haze greenish, amine small oxide split on end Didodecyl — — Small Splitting — Large dimethyl split on on the split and ammonium surface surface smaller chloride cracks ACQ — — — Surface remaining smoother and (Copper brown type system)²

EXAMPLE 12

[0066] ¾″×¼″×5″ Ponderosa pine wafers were treated with the treating solutions in Table 8 below as follows. The wafers were placed in a vacuum desiccator and the vacuum pressure was maintained at about −80 kPa for about 15 minutes. The treating solution was injected into the vacuum. The vacuum was broken by the addition of air and the wafers were allowed to stand for about 10 minutes. Excess treating solution was blotted from the wafers. The wafers were returned to the desiccator and another vacuum was drawn to about −80 kPa pressure for about 15 minutes to remove any kickback solution. The pieces were placed outside and observed after 2 years. The results are shown in Table 8. TABLE 8 Treating Solution Observation After 2 Years — Dull greenish weathered look DDAC Similar to untreated control Waterproofer¹ Similar to untreated control Hexadecylamine oxide Similar to untreated control DDAC (0.5%) and hexadecylamine oxide Gray (1.0%) DDAC (1.0%) and hexadecylamine oxide Brownish Gray (2.0%)

[0067] All patents, applications, articles, publications, and test methods mentioned above are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0068] Many variations of the present invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art in light of the above detailed description. Such obvious variations are within the full intended scope of the appended claims. 

In the claims:
 1. A method for enhancing the uniform distribution and penetration of at least one wood preservative into a wood substrate, said method comprising applying a preservative composition to the wood substrate, the preservative composition comprising (a) a wood distribution enhancing agent comprising one or more amine oxides and (b) the wood preservative.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said amine oxide is selected from the group consisting of (i) a trialiphatic substituted oxide; (ii) an N-alkylated cyclic amine oxide; (iii) a dialkylpiperazine di-N-oxide; (iv) an alkyldi(hydroxy alkyl)amine oxide; (v) a dialkylbenzylamine oxide; (vi) a fatty amido propyldimethyl amine oxide; (vii) a diamine oxide; (viii) a triamine oxide; and (ix) any combination of any of the foregoing.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said trialiphatic substituted amine oxide has the formula R¹R²R³N→O, wherein R¹ is a linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof C₆ to C₄₀ saturated or unsaturated group; and R² and R³ independently are linear, branched, or any combination thereof C₁ to C₄₀ saturated or unsaturated groups.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein R¹ is a linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof C₆ to C₂₂ saturated or unsaturated group and R² and R³ independently are linear, branched, or any combination thereof C₁ to C₂₂ saturated or unsaturated groups.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein R¹ is a linear or branched C₆ to C₁₄ saturated or unsaturated group.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein R² and R³ are methyl.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein a C₆-C₂₂ saturated or unsaturated group.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the amine oxide is selected from the group consisting of decyldimethylamine oxide. dodecyldimethylamine oxide, tetradecyldimethylamine oxide, hexadecyldimethylamine oxide, coco-dimethylamine oxide, octadecyldimethylamine oxide, hydrogenated tallow dimethylamine oxide, and any combination of any of the foregoing.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the wood preservative comprises a member selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium compounds, amines, and salts thereof.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound has the formula R¹⁹R²⁰R²¹R²²N⁺X⁻, wherein R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹, and R²² independent are linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof saturated or unsaturated group and the sum of the number of carbon atoms in R¹⁹,R²⁰,R²¹, and R²² broadly ranges from about 10 to about 50; and X is an anion.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound. has the formula R¹⁹(CH₃)₃N⁺X⁻, wherein R¹⁹ is a linear or branched C₁₀-C₂₀ saturated or unsaturated group and X is an anion.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound has the formula R¹⁹R²⁰(CH₃)₂N⁺X⁻, wherein R¹⁹ is a linear or branched C₆-C₂₀ saturated or unsaturated group or C₆-C₂₀ substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; R²⁰ is a linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ saturated or unsaturated group or C₆-C₂₀ substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; and X is an anion.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound has the formula R¹⁹R²⁰(CH₃)₂N⁺X⁻, wherein R¹⁹ is a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl group; R²⁰ is linear C₁₀ to C₂₀ saturated or unsaturated group; and X is an anion.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound has the formula R¹⁹R²⁰N⁺(CH₃)(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)H X⁻, wherein R¹⁹ is a C₆-C₂₀ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a C₆-C₂₀ substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; R²⁰ is a C₁-C₂₀ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a C₆-C₂₀ substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; n is an integer from 1 to 2; and X is an anion.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound has the formula R¹⁹R²⁰R²¹(CH₃)N⁺X⁻, wherein R¹⁹, R²⁰, and R²¹ independently are linear or branched C₆-C₂₂ saturated or unsaturated groups; and X is an anion.
 16. The method of claim 9, wherein the amine has the formula R²³R²⁴R²⁵N, wherein R²³, R²⁴, and R²⁵ independent are linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof saturated or unsaturated groups and the sum of the number of carbon atoms in R²³, R²⁴, and R²⁵ is from about 10 to about
 50. 17. The method of claim 9, wherein the amine has the formula R²³N(CH₃)₂, wherein R²³ is a linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof C₆-C₃₀ saturated or unsaturated group or C₆-C₃₀ substituted or unsubstituted aryl group.
 18. The method of claim 9, wherein the amine salt has the formula R²⁶R²⁷R²⁸N⁺Y⁻, wherein R²⁶, R²⁷, and R²⁸ independent are linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof saturated or unsaturated groups and the sum of the number of carbon atoms in R²⁶, R²⁷, and R²⁸ is from about 10 to about 50, and Y is an anion.
 19. The method of claim 9, wherein the amine salt has the formula R²⁹(CH₃)₂N⁺Y⁻, wherein R²⁹ is a linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof C₆-C₃₀ saturated or unsaturated group or C₆-C₃₀ substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and Y is an anion.
 20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of amine oxide to wood preservative in said preservative composition ranges from about 1:10 to about 10:1.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the weight ratio ranges from about 1:6to about4:1.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the weight ratio ranges from about 1:1 to about4:1.
 23. The method of claim 1, wherein the preservative composition further comprises water.
 24. The method of claim 1, wherein the preservative composition comprises from about 0.25 to about 4% by weight of the amine oxides based on 100% total weight of preservative composition.
 25. The method of claim 1, wherein the preservative composition comprises from about 0.25 to about 4% by weight of the wood preservatives based on 100% total weight of preservative composition.
 26. A method for enhancing the uniform distribution of at least one wood preservative into a wood substrate, said method comprising the steps of: (a) applying a wood distribution enhancing agent to the wood substrate; and (b) applying the wood preservative to the wood substrate, wherein the wood distribution enhancing agent comprises an amine oxide.
 27. A method for enhancing the uniform distribution of at least one wood preservative into a wood substrate, comprising: (a) applying the wood preservative to the wood substrate; and (b) applying a wood distribution enhancing agent to the wood substrate, wherein the wood distribution enhancing agent comprises an amine oxide.
 28. A method for enhancing the uniform distribution of at least one wood preservative into a wood substrate, comprising concurrently applying the wood preservative and a wood distribution enhancing agent to the wood substrate, wherein the wood distribution enhancing agent comprises an amine oxide.
 29. A wood preservative composition comprising (a) an amine or a salt thereof; and (b) an amine oxide. wherein the amine has the formula R²³R²⁴R²⁵N, wherein R²³, R²⁴, and R²⁵ independent are linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof saturated or unsaturated groups and the sum of the number of carbon atoms in R²³,R²⁴, and R²⁵ is from about 10 to about
 50. 30. The wood preservative composition of claim 29, wherein R²³ is a linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof C₆-C₃₀ saturated or unsaturated group or C₆-C₃₀ substituted or unsubstituted aryl group and R²⁴ and R²⁵ are methyl.
 31. The wood preservative composition of claim 29, wherein the amine oxide has the formula R¹R²R³N→O, wherein R¹ is a linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof C₆ to C₄₀ saturated or unsaturated group; and R² and R³ independently are linear, branched, or any combination thereof C₁ to C₄₀ saturated or unsaturated groups.
 32. The wood preservative composition of claim 31, wherein R¹ is a linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof C₆ to C₂₂ saturated or unsaturated group and R² and R³ are methyl.
 33. The method of claim 1, wherein the amine oxide is selected from the group consisting of (i) an N-alkylated cyclic amine oxide; (ii) a dialkylpiperazine di-N-oxide; (iii) an alkyldi(hydroxy alkyl)amine oxide; (iv) a dialkylbenzylamine oxide; (v) a fatty amido propyldimethyl amine oxide; (vi) a diamine oxide; (vii) a triamine oxide; and (viii) any combination of any of the foregoing.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the wood preservative comprises a quaternary ammonium compound or a salt thereof.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound has the formula R¹⁹R²⁰R²¹R²²N⁺X⁻, wherein R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹, and R²² independent are linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof saturated or unsaturated group and the sum of the number of carbon atoms in R¹⁹, R²⁰, R²¹, and R²² broadly ranges from about 10 to about 50; and X is an anion.
 36. The method of claim 34, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound has the formula R¹⁹(CH₃)₃N⁺X⁻), wherein R¹⁹ is a linear or branched C₁₀-C₂₀ saturated or unsaturated group and X is an anion.
 37. The method of claim 34, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound has the formula R¹⁹R²⁰(CH₃)₂N⁺X⁻, wherein R¹⁹ is a linear or branched C₆-C₂₀ saturated or unsaturated group or C₆-C₂₀ substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; R²⁰ is a linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ saturated or unsaturated group or C₆-C₂₀ substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; and X is an anion.
 38. The method of claim 34, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound has the formula R¹⁹R²⁰(CH₃)₂N⁺X⁻, wherein R¹⁹ is a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl group; R²⁰ is linear C₁₀ to C₂₀ saturated or unsaturated group; and X is an anion.
 39. The method of claim 34, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound has the formula R¹⁹R²⁰N⁺(CH₃)(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)H X⁻, wherein R¹⁹ is a C₆-C₂₀ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a C₆-C₂₀ substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; R²⁰ is a C₁-C₂₀ linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a C₆-C₂₀ substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; n is an integer from 1 to 2; and X is an anion.
 40. The method of claim 34, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound has the formula R¹⁹R²⁰R²¹(CH₃)N⁺X⁻, wherein R¹⁹, R²⁰, and R²¹ independently are linear or branched C₆-C₂₂ saturated or unsaturated groups; and X is an anion.
 41. The method according to claim 34, wherein the weight ratio of amine oxide to wood preservative in said preservative composition ranges from about 1:10 to about 10:1.
 42. The method of claim 41, wherein the weight ratio ranges from about 1:6 to about 4:1.
 43. The method of claim 41, wherein the weight ratio ranges from about 1:1 to about 4:1.
 44. The method of claim 34, wherein the preservative composition further comprises water.
 45. The method of claim 34, wherein the preservative composition comprises from about 0.25 to about 4% by weight of the amine oxides based on 100% total weight of preservative composition.
 46. The method of claim 34, wherein the preservative composition comprises from about 0.25 to about 4% by weight of the wood preservatives based on 100% total weight of preservative composition.
 47. A method for enhancing the uniform distribution and penetration of at least one wood preservative into a wood substrate, said method comprising applying a preservative composition to the wood substrate, the preservative composition comprising (a) a wood distribution enhancing agent comprising one or more amine oxides and (b) the wood preservative, wherein the wood preservative is an amine having the formula R²³R²⁴R²⁵N or a salt thereof, wherein R²³, R²⁴, and R²⁵ independent are linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof saturated or unsaturated groups and the sum of the number of carbon atoms in R²³, R²⁴, and R²⁵ is from about 10 to about
 50. 48. The method of claim 47, wherein said amine oxide is selected from the group consisting of (i) a trialiphatic substituted amine oxide; (ii) an N-alkylated cyclic amine oxide; (iii) a dialkylpiperazine di-N-oxide; (iv) an alkyldi(hydroxy alkyl)amine oxide; (v) a dialkylbenzylamine oxide; (vi) a fatty amido propyldimethyl amine oxide; (vii) a diamine oxide; (viii) a triamine oxide; and (ix) any combination of any of the foregoing.
 49. The method of claim 48, wherein said trialiphatic substituted amine oxide has the formula R¹R²R³N→O, wherein R¹ is a linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof C₆ to C₄₀ saturated or unsaturated group; and R² and R³ independently are linear, branched, or any combination thereof C₁ to C₄₀ saturated or unsaturated groups.
 50. The method of claim 49, wherein R¹ is a linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof C₆ to C₂₂ saturated or unsaturated group and R² and R³ independently are linear, branched, or any combination thereof C₁ to C₂₂ saturated or unsaturated groups.
 51. The method of claim 49, wherein R¹ is a linear or branched C₆ to C₁₄ saturated or unsaturated group.
 52. The method of claim 49, wherein R² and R³ are methyl.
 53. The method of claim 49, wherein R¹ is a C₆-C₂₂ saturated or unsaturated group.
 54. The method of claim 52, wherein the amine oxide is selected from the group consisting of decyldimethylamine oxide, dodecyldimethylamine oxide, tetradecyldimethylamine oxide, hexadecyldimethylamine oxide, coco-dimethylamine oxide, octadecyldimethylamine oxide, hydrogenated tallow dimethylamine oxide, and any combination of any of the foregoing.
 55. The method of claim 47, wherein the amine has the formula R²³N(CH₃)₂, wherein R²³ is a linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof C₆-C₃₀ saturated or unsaturated group or C₆-C₃₀ substituted or unsubstituted aryl group.
 56. The method of claim 47, wherein the amine salt has the formula R²⁶R²⁷R²⁸N⁺Y⁻, wherein R²⁶, R²⁷, and R²⁸ independent are linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof saturated or unsaturated groups and the sum of the number of carbon atoms in R²⁶, R²⁷, and R²⁸ is from about 10 to about 50, and Y is an anion.
 57. The method of claim 47, wherein the amine salt has the formula R²⁹(CH₃)₂N⁺Y⁻, wherein R²⁹ is a linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof C₆-C₃₀ saturated or unsaturated group or C₆-C₃₀ substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and Y is an anion.
 58. The method according to claim 47, wherein the weight ratio of amine oxide to wood preservative in said preservative composition ranges from about 1:10 to about 10:1.
 59. The method of claim 48, wherein the weight ratio ranges from about 1:6 to about 4:1.
 60. The method of claim 48, wherein the weight ratio ranges from about 1:1 to about4:1.
 61. The method of claim 47, wherein the preservative composition further comprises water.
 62. The method of claim 47, wherein the preservative composition comprises from about 0.25 to about 4% by weight of the amine oxides based on 100% total weight of preservative composition.
 63. The method of claim 47, wherein the preservative composition comprises from about 0.25 to about 4% by weight of the wood preservatives based on 100% total weight of preservative composition.
 64. A method for enhancing the uniform distribution of at least one wood preservative into a wood substrate, said method comprising the steps of: (a) applying a wood distribution enhancing agent to the wood substrate; and (b) applying the wood preservative to the wood substrate, wherein the wood distribution enhancing agent comprises an amine oxide.
 65. A method for enhancing the uniform distribution of at least one wood preservative into a wood substrate, comprising: (a) applying the wood preservative to the wood substrate; and (b) applying a wood distribution enhancing agent to the wood substrate, wherein the wood distribution enhancing agent comprises an amine oxide.
 66. A wood preservative composition comprising (a) an amine or a salt thereof; and (b) an amine oxide. wherein the amine has the formula R²³R²⁴R²⁵N, wherein R²³, R²⁴, and R²⁵ independent are linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof saturated or unsaturated groups and the sum of the number of carbon atoms in R²³, R²⁴, and R²⁵ is from about 10 to about
 50. 67. The wood preservative composition of claim 66, wherein R²³ is a linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof C₆-C₃₀ saturated or unsaturated group or C₆-C₃₀ substituted or unsubstituted aryl group and R²⁴ and R²⁵ are methyl.
 68. The wood preservative composition of claim 66, wherein the amine oxide has the formula R¹R²R³N→O, wherein R¹ is a linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof C₆ to C₄₀ saturated or unsaturated group; and R² and R³ independently are linear, branched, or any combination thereof C₁ to C₄₀ saturated or unsaturated groups.
 69. The wood preservative composition of claim 68, wherein R¹ is a linear, branched, cyclic or any combination thereof C₆ to C₂₂ saturated or unsaturated group and R² and R³ are methyl. 